Clergy and Religious Leaders Report

BLOCKADE REPORT NOVEMBER 1 2006

The Christian gathering at Faslane began at the civilised hour of 12 noon on Wednesday November 1st, and we were pleased to overlap with a group from Cumbria. Nine of them were arrested the previous day. Many of the Cumbrian group were Quakers and they held a short meeting before departing which we were invited to join.
For our block there were representatives of CANA (Clergy Against Nuclear Arms), Clergy Action and the Iona Community, ministers and priests from the Church of Scotland, Church of England, Baptist and Catholic churches, as well as individual lay people who came out to join us. In all, our numbers were around 45-50 on the first day.

During the course of that afternoon we took part in another three services (!) – one led by the Anglicans of CANA, one by the Iona Community, and a Communion led by Clergy Action. This was followed immediately afterwards by a march down to the front of the Main Gate to coincide with the 4pm shift change. (Many of us were struck by the amount of traffic entering and leaving the base throughout the day).
Ten people then sat down on the roadway in front of the gate. The police were quick to create a line in front of us, and the Main Gate then was shut over, preventing anyone entering or leaving. An announcement was made on loudspeakers at the base, advising employees to leave by the South Gate.

The police presence at that time was not big enough to arrest 10 protestors, and they had to wait until some reinforcements arrived (from the bushes?) to make the arrests. Five clergy and five lay people were then taken to Clydebank Police Station and held until 1.00 pm on Thursday, where they were issued the expected letters from the Procurator Fiscal and not charged.

During this time the police remained very civil and willing to be helpful if they could. My own last experience of arrest was being taken to Maryhill Police Station, and though I was released more quickly then, I generally found Clydebank to be more comfortable. I recommend it! We were allowed to take books into the cell and paper and pencils were provided also on request. As the cells are pretty bleak and spartan, these things make a big difference.

Before our blockade we had had a number of call-offs, including a whole group who were coming up from England! However, in the circumstances it was a good number who took the trouble to be there, and we feel we made our presence felt.

LESSONS LEARNED/ TIPS FOR OTHERS?

We have a had a wee bit of publicity, and there may be some more to come, but perhaps this remains the big issue for all the blockading groups. Given that there has now been over 200 arrests it is clear that the media seem determined to keep reporting of events to a minimum. Each group has to work really hard on finding ways to make their story reach the public.

Although our days were good weather-wise, weather can be very changeable. So bring as many warm clothes as you can. If you think there is a chance of arrest, make sure you have a good book with you! And once you’re inside you can even use the pencil and papers to write up a press release for when you get out. I did that and it worked!

David McLachlan.